Hi Greg!

I was just wondering where I would be able to find some good fingerings on the chromatic scale with the three finger technique? I've been using four finger's for this but it doesn't feel right, is there a better way?

Thanks.

Hi Steve,

If you look at page 2-3 of The Stick Book, you'll see one approach to this at the top of the page, which uses the following scheme:



This is one Emmett shows in Free Hands (always good to cite your sources when publishing lessons online or anywhere else

The transition from string-to-string (4 frets) is the same as the transition from the 3rd to the 4th in the 1-st finger position major scale:



IMPORTANT: The key to 3-finger melodic play is always to shift the hand as you go.

Lately I also work on this one a bit:



which uses the same string to string transition as the first one, and retains the sequence of 1,2,3 on each string. It can be very fast and fluid, and as long as you don't run out of frets as you go down, it works great.

When you run out of frets, just use the little skip move from the first scale to take you back up the string.

Thanks for the question.

EDIT: fixed the third chart.

I'm not the one who asked, but thanks for the information.....

You're welcome John.

I believe Emmett has suggested in the past that a different reflex for descending pattern is also good to cultivate:

Three fingers?
I won't lobby for four!
How about the 2 finger chromatic run?

On standard Grand (vary concept depending on your tuning):

All with the right hand:
Hit a note on the third string (any fret), using second finger
Next,play the 11th string with your thumb, one fret higher
Continue to play in this manner alternating second finger and thumb on their respective strings, increasing one fret for each note.
On a ten string Stick, this works with 3rd string and 10th string
Voila
(Cool sound depending on eq and effects for each side)
Thinking outside the box is very important when learning the Stick.

Guy Dinglite

Dear Mr Guy Dinglite,

That was a dynamite advice!

Explosive?
This kind of approach should be a springboard for new techniques and ideas. The Stick's unique tuning, range and finger possibilities inspire this alternative attitude toward creativity.

Tex Apport

Steve, (I know you were asking Greg, but here are my 2 cents) My best advice is to use Emmett's system as a base and, vary when needed. A very different fingering may be needed for "Confirmation" than a slower run. It really all depends on where you are going (or where you are coming from) 4 fingers ascending chromatic can be real smooth. Use what works.

Is there a specific tune/passage that you are working on?

Brett

Thanks Greg and Steve, the both of you always have such great feedback!

Brett

I guess this isn't for any specific tune or passage except that now that standards are becoming a easier part of my Stick line up I want to integrate chromatic be-bop licks which is why I ask.

Awesome!!!!!!!

Brett